Chapter 37
THIRTY-SEVEN
Islept in. That hasn’t happened since I was a child.
I’m always up at dawn, ready for school or work, but I only just woke up and our bed is empty.
I shower and dress in some flowy white pants and a tight, sleeveless shirt, the back cut in a V, leaving it backless with diamonds strung across it.
It makes me feel powerful and confident, and I can’t wait to see Nikko’s reaction.
I hurry downstairs and head into the dining room, where I can hear the clinking of plates and glasses.
“Good morning. I thought we could—” I freeze, the words dying in my throat.
My father is sipping his coffee, looking warily at our guest. Nikko is sitting upright, his eyes hard as he glares at someone sitting opposite him, who turns at my voice and smiles.
Faiz.
“Good morning, Z,” he says brightly. “You look beautiful today.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I came for breakfast.” He shrugs as he wipes his mouth and tosses the napkin down.
He stands, buttoning his suit out of habit, and tugs out the chair next to him.
I see Nikko slump with his arm on the chair next to him, ready to let me sit, so I step around the table and take that seat.
I lean into Nikko’s arm as he drapes it over my shoulders, making it very clear where my loyalties lie.
My father watches me proudly, and Nikko pours me a coffee. “Just how you like it,” he murmurs, kissing my cheek. “You do look beautiful today.”
“Thank you,” I reply as I take a sip. His hand drops, dragging down my exposed back, and when I glance up, I notice he’s completely ignoring Faiz now, his eyes focused on my exposed skin.
I look away and meet Faiz’s gaze. He’s scowling, but his expression quickly changes to a smile when he catches me looking.
“We have a meeting today to go check on the new site. I thought I would pick you up to make it easier. Have you told Nikko it’s our brain baby we’ve been building for years?
” He looks at Nikko. “Ah, I suppose you wouldn’t understand.
You’re a boxer, not a businessman. All fists, probably not much brain. ”
“I don’t pretend to understand all of Zia’s businesses, since he can handle it himself, just like I can handle myself. Instead, we just support each other,” Nikko replies, stroking my back as I look between them.
“How is the new site doing?” my father asks, trying to change the subject and coming to Nikko’s defense.
“There were some hiccups, but it’s all back on track now,” Faiz answers.
“I was asking my son,” my father snaps.
Faiz’s smile turns brittle for a moment. “Of course, Father, my apologies.”
“You lost the right to call me Father. It’s Mr. Xander,” my father warns. “Nikko, I was thinking we could play chess outside today.”
“That sounds great to me, Mr. Xander,” Nikko replies respectfully.
“It’s Father, remember?” my dad says, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
I have to hide my smile behind my mug. My father just made whom he supports very clear, and I couldn’t love him more. I once thought he would be angry about Faiz and me breaking up, but if anything, he seems irritated by the fact that he keeps showing up.
“I see you still serve my favorite,” Faiz remarks, no doubt as a dig at Nikko, and it works. He flinches at my side as Faiz heaps his plate with it. “I guess you still remember. I suppose that comes with us being together for so long. How long have you known Z, Nikko? A month? A few weeks?”
“Yes, well, Nikko also doesn’t habitually cheat on my son,” my father comments. “Anyone else for another coffee?”
I stare, open-mouthed, as Nikko chuckles at my side. “Actually, I met Zia over seven months ago. He had left a party you were at and broke down. I helped him.” Nikko takes my hand, twining our fingers together. “I think that was just before your breakup.”
I see understanding flash in Faiz’s eyes as he looks at me. He’s remembering when I came home from being out all night. No doubt he thinks I cheated on him with Nikko.
“I never cheated. I want to make that very clear,” I say. “I know how that feels, and I would never do that to someone, not even you, but yes, I met Nikko before we broke up. Faiz, why are you here?”
His eyes lock on my hand holding Nikko’s, and he swallows. “Just as I said before.”
“I better get to work.” I sigh and kiss Nikko’s cheek. “Behave today. Don’t overdo it and take your meds, okay?” Standing, I walk around to my father and kiss his cheek too. “You as well.”
“Yes, yes, we’ll behave.” My father waves me away. “See you tonight.”
Nodding, I stride past Faiz. “Goodbye,” he says softly, almost chastised, and I hear him hurry after me as I slide my sunglasses on and head out to Yuki. His eyes widen when he sees Faiz behind me, and when Faiz tugs me around, I twist my arm from his grip.
He watches me, searching my expression. For what, I don’t know, but I let him look until he slumps, appearing defeated.
“I’ve really lost you, haven’t I?” he asks.
“Faiz, you lost me a long time ago. It’s time to let go of the past and move on. Despite everything, I hope you find your happiness. I really do. I’m sorry it couldn’t be me. I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you.”
He looks away for a moment, his eyes rolling up to the sky as if he’s searching for something, and when he looks back at me, he appears upset.
“It wasn’t you who wasn’t enough, Z. I need you to know that.
It was me. It was never your fault. It was mine.
I was stupid and insecure. I knew you were too good for me and would realize it one day.
” His lips twist. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.
I’m so fucking sorry. It is all I have been able to think about these last few weeks.
You were my best friend, we grew up together, and I ruined that.
I can’t live without you, Zia. Can we be friends at least? ”
“I don’t know how to be your friend,” I admit. “I don’t think I can be, not yet anyway. Some things can’t be fixed no matter how hard we try.” I step back. “Let’s do the site inspection. I need to get back and look after Nikko.” I don’t say it to hurt him, but I watch those words land.
He nods, and we walk to the car, sliding inside silently. Yuki is in the front. The whole way there, the atmosphere is filled with a tense sort of quiet that neither of us knows how to break.
He realized he loves me too late, and I realized too late it wasn’t enough.
No matter what, we have years of memories together, and it hurts to see that in tatters.
We pull up to the site thirty minutes later, and I get out, accepting the hard hat as I meet the site manager. Yuki stays close, taking notes as we are shown around. It’s coming along well despite the delay, and we are both happy. Once we’re back at the car, Faiz offers me a tight smile.
“I’ll get a ride. Don’t worry.” He looks me over. “I hope you’re happy, Z. I mean it.” He walks over to a black car and gets in.
Yuki stops at my side, his tablet pressed against his chest. “Good riddance. It seems he finally understands.”
“You think?” I ask hopefully.
“Yes,” Yuki replies as he turns with a grin, only for it to drop suddenly. “Get down!” He yanks me down, covering my body as he opens the back door, protecting us just as something explodes where we were just standing.
The whole car shakes, debris raining down on us, and when it settles, I glance up to see Yuki’s arm blocking my head.
Something drips down my upper body. Cuts, I think, but I look Yuki over.
His arm is injured, but he seems okay. “Stay down, sir.” He pulls me closer as he tugs his phone out.
“Car two, here now! There’s been an attack. ”
Within seconds, another car is here, and guards surround us. “The site, the team here—”
“I will check on them. We must get you to safety first. That was a bomb, sir, and you were the target.” He drags me over to the other car and throws me in, and then we speed away from the site.
Shock still flows through me.
Someone tried to blow me up.
This just got serious.
I’m sitting in my office. Yuki rushed me here since it’s the safest place for me. He assured me all staff members are fine and there was only minimal damage to the outside of the development site.
Yuki kneels before me, cleaning my wound, when the door slams open. A panicked, wild-eyed Nikko is framed in the doorway. “Nikko?”
“Baby.” He runs over and pushes Yuki away, his hands fluttering over me. “I heard. Are you okay? What happened? Let’s go to the hospital—”
I cover his lips with a grin. “I can’t answer if you keep talking.”
He nods, and Yuki hands him the first-aid supplies and discreetly leaves the room.
“I’m okay. There was an incident, but I swear I’m fine.”
“A bomb is an incident?” he snaps as he carefully starts cleaning my wounds. They are only small cuts, but he treats each one with such careful contempt, I can’t help but smile. “Every single one of these on your perfect skin is an affront,” he mutters.
“It happens in my life, Nikko. Not necessarily bombs, but people feel like they can attack me. I’m okay. I promise.” I let him fuss over me, and when he’s done, he looks up at me.
“When I heard, I couldn’t fucking breathe. I thought I’d lost you.” He presses his face to my chest. “Fuck, I thought I’d lost you, baby.”
There is a knock at the door, and I wrap my arms around Nikko. “Come in.” Yuki steps inside with my head of security.
“Sir.” He nods. “We have the report.” He eyes Nikko. “Should I come back?”
“No, it’s fine,” I tell him. I never would have let them see such weakness in me before, but I don’t care anymore.
Nikko pulls his head away and lifts me with one arm, then he perches me on his lap as he takes my seat and holds me.
I let him, since I can feel him shaking.
“Well?” I prompt as my security just gawks.